The Colombo High Court yesterday rejected the request seeking granting bail to Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Organization General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera who was currently serving four years imprisonment for making a controversial statement at a press conference which was convened on the Kuragala ancient Buddhist Monastery, that violated inter-ethnic and religious harmony.
The order was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige after considering a request was made by the defence seeking bail for convicted accused Ven.Gnanasara Thera.
The defence informed court that they have filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal seeking bail for accused Ven. Gnanasara sought from the court to grant bail to the convicted Ven.Gnanasara, subject to the appeal.
After considering the circumstances, the Colombo High Court Judge rejected the request made seeking bail for Ven.Gnanasara Thera ruling that there were insufficient facts to consider to grant bail to the accused. Ven.Gananasara Thera was found guilty for the allegations and he was sentenced to four years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs.100,000 for the charges by the Colombo High Court.
The case was filed by the Attorney General under two counts under Section 296 (b) of the Penal Code, following a complaint lodged by Azad Sally against a controversial statement made by Ven. Gnanasara Thera at a press conference which was held during a period of November 1, 2016 and December 16,2016.
Dilshan Tharaka